Teatro Principal (Main Theater), Puebla
Puebla's Teatro Principal is the oldest active theater in the Americas. It was originally known as Corral de Comedias, and later as Antiguo Coliseo.
The history of theater in Puebla began in the early 17th century. Back then, a carpenter and theatrical enthusiast Juan G贸mez Melgarejo built the first theater in town, called Corral de Comedias. In 1613, however, the city mayor ordered its suspension and ultimately destruction.
Prominent patrons of Melgarejo's challenged the decision with the Viceroy of New Spain, Rodrigo Pacheco y Osorio, Marquis of Cerralbo, who eventually granted the license for and authorized the construction of a new venue, in 1626. The construction process, slowed down by the lack of funds, epidemics, droughts and other calamities, lasted until 1759.
By that time, the impatience of theater-goers was so great that, as soon as the stage was completed, performances began almost immediately, with people bringing their own chairs to sit on and watch the show. The new Corral de Comedias was finally inaugurated in 1761.
The theater's ceiling was painted by the famous Pueblan painter, Miguel Jer贸nimo de Zendejas, featuring mythological figures of Apollo and Tal铆a, Puebla's emblem granted to the city by Carlos V, and the Latin inscription translated as "Good art ennobles the people."
In 1902, the building suffered damage from fire, and was fully restored only in 1940.
Nowadays, alongside theatrical plays, the venue is used for opera, dance, concerts, variety shows, festivals, children's matinees, conferences, assemblies and other events. When not in use, the place is open for visits between 10am and 5pm.
The history of theater in Puebla began in the early 17th century. Back then, a carpenter and theatrical enthusiast Juan G贸mez Melgarejo built the first theater in town, called Corral de Comedias. In 1613, however, the city mayor ordered its suspension and ultimately destruction.
Prominent patrons of Melgarejo's challenged the decision with the Viceroy of New Spain, Rodrigo Pacheco y Osorio, Marquis of Cerralbo, who eventually granted the license for and authorized the construction of a new venue, in 1626. The construction process, slowed down by the lack of funds, epidemics, droughts and other calamities, lasted until 1759.
By that time, the impatience of theater-goers was so great that, as soon as the stage was completed, performances began almost immediately, with people bringing their own chairs to sit on and watch the show. The new Corral de Comedias was finally inaugurated in 1761.
The theater's ceiling was painted by the famous Pueblan painter, Miguel Jer贸nimo de Zendejas, featuring mythological figures of Apollo and Tal铆a, Puebla's emblem granted to the city by Carlos V, and the Latin inscription translated as "Good art ennobles the people."
In 1902, the building suffered damage from fire, and was fully restored only in 1940.
Nowadays, alongside theatrical plays, the venue is used for opera, dance, concerts, variety shows, festivals, children's matinees, conferences, assemblies and other events. When not in use, the place is open for visits between 10am and 5pm.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Teatro Principal (Main Theater) on Map
Sight Name: Teatro Principal (Main Theater)
Sight Location: Puebla, Mexico (See walking tours in Puebla)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Puebla, Mexico (See walking tours in Puebla)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Puebla, Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Puebla
Creating your own self-guided walk in Puebla is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Puebla Colonial Architecture Walking Tour
One of the most authentic and traditional destinations in Mexico, the city of Puebla abounds in Baroque architecture, or rather the peculiar regional form thereof resulted from the fusion of European and indigenous styles in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Visiting this magical place you will find lots of (more than 70!) sumptuous churches, convents and sanctuaries, as well as other incredible... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Visiting this magical place you will find lots of (more than 70!) sumptuous churches, convents and sanctuaries, as well as other incredible... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Puebla Food Tasting and Shopping Tour
Among other delights that the Mexican city of Puebla can pride itself on is the abundant food and shopping scene fit to delight even the most discerning travelers with an array of colors and flavors to treat themselves to.
One spot to visit for non-trivial shopping is the Alley of the Frogs (Callej贸n de los Sapos), where antique stores and vendors line the cobblestone streets, offering a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One spot to visit for non-trivial shopping is the Alley of the Frogs (Callej贸n de los Sapos), where antique stores and vendors line the cobblestone streets, offering a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Puebla Introduction Walking Tour
The city of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla and the fourth largest city in Mexico. It was founded in 1531 in an uninhabited area between two indigenous settlements of the time, Tlaxcala and Cholula. The area used to be called Cuetlaxcoapan, which means "where serpents change their skin".
Spanish conquistador Hern谩n Cort茅s occupied the Puebla region in 1519, killing most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Spanish conquistador Hern谩n Cort茅s occupied the Puebla region in 1519, killing most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles